Xbox Focus - Clarity Awaits You

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• Getting things back into order

  by Steve Wysowski May 10th 2008 11:34 PM EDT4 Comments

  Well that was a fun week.
  
  For the past ten days or so I've kinda let XboxFocus go blank as I've been paying attention to other aspects of my life (family, exams, the giant killer pandas in my yard). I'm sorry about that, and now that everything has been cleared up I can now focus on putting every ounce of energy back into XboxFocus.
  
  I also have a big idea in mind for XboxFocus; nothing really huge, but it's significant.
  
  Once again, sorry for everything. The site will get kicking monday with some columns, reviews, and of course the news blog. By the way, for the forum guys, the winners of the competition will be announced this week. So get prepared for that and try to make your final pushes. Good luck!
  

• Gears of War 2 Official Gameplay Better Than You Think

  by Alex Yusupov May 10th 2008 2:42 AM EDT5 Comments

  And hopefully you already think it's gonna be amazing. About half an hour ago, the dated sequel for the 360 decided to give us a little peak at some of its campaign gameplay. If you haven't seen it yet, go download it from Xbox.com or get it straight on your Xbox 360 Harddrive by downloading it from the Live marketplace (free of charge). To say the least, it's epic...no pun intended, honestly.
  
  Unfortunately it's quite late and I don't feel like debugging my Photoshop CS3 which refuses to import my clipboard of screen-caps this late at night, so for nice little images you'll have to wait for tomorrow. Also tune in tomorrow as XBF picks apart the sneak peak and analyzes it for its goodies. And believe me, everybody likes goodies.
  

• Doom 4 WILL make you fill your pants

  by John Meadowcroft May 8th 2008 2:20 PM EDT1 Comments

  Holy Hell! Is that even appropriate? You can ask as soon as you get there because id Software has started work on Doom 4 with the latest journey to the netherworld opening up it's gates in late 2009. The team are also recruiting for the project, so if you think you're a dab hand with the relevant engines then hey, give them a call and be part of one of the most exciting projects to date.
  

• Finally, a piece of Xbox quiet...

  by John Meadowcroft May 8th 2008 2:04 PM EDT2 Comments

  Is it a bird? Sounds more like a plane. Or several planes taking off at once with a cargo of tractors racing around a death bowl. It's actually none of those, it's the sound of the 360 in the corner whirring away in the corner of your room, putting the fat lady in the Opera to shame. The noise issues of the console have been well publicised and many a Jerk on YouTube has tried seizing on the fact to make a name for themselves.
  
  Microsoft however, have listened. Not only to the deafening roar of the console starting up, but also to the noises made by the console owners. A chipset called Jasper is in development which promises not only a much quieter Xbox, but a much cooler one too. Rumour has it that it could be released as early as August, so get ready to kiss those ear plugs goodbye!
  

• Captain Price succumbs to Polish invasion

  by John Meadowcroft May 6th 2008 3:52 PM EDT2 Comments

  You may remember pre-GTA I made a post issuing a rallying cry to Captain Price and co of Call of Duty fame to ward off the impending threat from Niko and his MMO style GTA multiplayer heaven. Well, despite a valiant effort, poor Pricey was absolutely trounced in this weeks Xbox Live play chart as consumers grabbed hold of Niko for some cops and robbers style fun.
  
  The usual suspects are also in the chart, Halo 3 coming third in front of Gears, Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Here's the full list:
  
  1: GTA IV
  2: Call of Duty 4
  3: Halo 3
  4: Guitar Hero III
  5: Gears of War
  6: Rock Band
  7: Rainbow Six Vegas II
  8: Iron Man Demo
  9: FIFA 08
  10: Forza Motorsport II
  
  Expect it to look very similar for a loooong time.
  
  
  
  
  

• Microsoft shatter Blu-Ray dream

  by John Meadowcroft May 6th 2008 3:38 PM EDT2 Comments

  It's fun while it lasts, keeping a rumour alive, especially when one seems to come from the horses mouth. Sources indicated that Microsoft had put an order in for some 360's to be fitted with Blu-Ray capabilities, capturing the excitement of gamers everywhere except for the Sony diehards. Unfortunately, Microsoft has come out of that excitement like a big fat bogeyman and quashed all the fun, innuendo, and most of all, hope surrounding these tales.
  
  An email sent to techtree from a Microsoft official puts it bluntly enough:
  
  "We have no plans to introduce a Blu-ray drive for Xbox 360. Games are what drive consumers to purchase gaming consoles, and we remain focused on providing the largest library of blockbuster games available."
  
  Bah. I think we should start an ugly rumour saying that Bill Gates is a big nerd or something.
  

• Grand Theft Auto IV: cheaters do prosper

  by Beau King May 6th 2008 1:02 PM EDT2 Comments

  Cheaters never prosper according to most conventions. However, in videogames this old adage has kind of slipped off to the wayside, or fallen off the edge completely. The Game Genie popularized it and the Grand Theft Auto series keeps the tradition alive. With that in mind, I present you with some of the more popular cheats for the newest addition. More can be found at GTA4.net.
  Health---------------------------4825550100

  Armour----------------------3625550100

  Weapons#1---------------------4865550100

  Weapons#2------------------4865550150

  Remove Wanted Level------2675550100

  Raise Wanted Level---------2675550150

  To make them work just type the number into Niko’s phone.

• Rock Band Track Salestravaganza!

  by Matt Schmachtenberg May 5th 2008 11:27 PM EDT3 Comments

  Over the course of the next few weeks, Harmonix and Mcdonalds will be offering a couple of songs for Rock Band at half price. There will be two tracks on sale per week from tomorrow at 2PM PST until June 2nd, and all eight will cost 80MS points on the Marketplace. The sale schedule is as follows:
  
  May 6th-May 12th::
  Crushcrushcrush - Paramore
  Rock 'n Roll Band - Boston
  
  May 13th-May 19th:
  Shockwave - Black Tide
  Sugar Magnolia - Grateful Dead
  
  May 20th-May 26th:
  We Care A Lot - Faith No More
  All the Small Things - Blink 182
  
  May 27th-June 2nd:
  Gimme Three Steps - Lynyrd Skynyrd
  Dirty Little Secret - All-American Rejects
  
  It seems the deal each week includes one of the songs that was released at 80 Points and then went to full price (Dirty Little Secret, Shockwave) and then one that's been regularly priced all along. Hopefully this won't have any affect on the number of tracks Harmonix puts out per week, because I'm sure some of you already paid full price for these tracks, but even if it does, a sale's nothing to complain about.
  

• Final Fantasy XI 2008 edition to be released

  by John Meadowcroft May 5th 2008 2:16 PM EDT3 Comments

  This month, Square Enix are releasing 'Final Fantasy XI, 2008 edition' for 360. Released on May 23rd, this latest version of the MMO behemoth will include the game itself and all four of the expansion packs, namely Rise of the Zilart, Chains of Promathia, Treasures of Aht Urghan and Wings of the Goddess.
  
  It's entirely up to you whether you want to buy it though, as there's already a 2007 edition out with three of the aforementioned expansion packs. Personally, I'm going to wait and see if the rumours of a Bioshock MMO are real before I delve anywhere near the eleventh fantasy.

• Exclusive 360 content for Gaiden's second outing

  by John Meadowcroft May 5th 2008 1:52 PM EDT1 Comments

  Go to Xbox.com right now. See it? It's a load of exclusive Xbox Ninja Gaiden II content from Team NINJA, just for you lucky 360 fans. The only thing is, you have to be over 18 to access it and you only get one chance to enter your details. But if you're cool and over 18 like me, then you'll have access to content such as Ninja Gaiden screensaver tools and an online mini game to feed your slaughtering habit before the game comes out.
  
  Ryu should be sneaking up on us on June 3rd don't forget. What better way to whet your appetite?